Fancy a weekend break to a beach, driving from London, any ideas?

[SleepIsForTheWeak]

We don't want to be on the road too long, but are desperate for some seaside!
Any ideas?
ta

[foxinsocks]

aah I was just thinking that too

I feel I've done Brighton a bit much, but how about Brighton for you?

are you nearer the W or E side of London?

[3sEnough]

Boradstairs is lovely - pretty quaint although with a definate Kentish seaside feel to it - go along to Joss bay for a massive, flat sandy bay - 2 minutes out of the centre of broadstairs (if you don't want the centre) and great.

[SleepIsForTheWeak]

We are North East London (innit)

[NoNickname]

How about Le Touquet? It's only about an hour or perhaps less from Calais and has lovely beaches.

[Blu]

Suffolk isn't miles and miles - Southwold / Walberswick. Nearer are Whitstable, Broadstairs, (both v close to each other)Camber - close to pretty Rye...or Eastbourne? How important is a sandy beach? Other attractions? Good walking / museums / cultural things? Hastings has nearby Bexhill, and Battle inland.

[Blu]

NE - Suffolk, then? How long do you consider 'too long'? Would 2.5 (maybe 3) hours to the N Norfolk coast be too long?

[ComeOVeneer]

Another vote for suffolk here. aldebrugh and surrounding area is fab, loads of good retaraunts, and things to do for the children.

[ComeOVeneer]

No offence but I wouldn't go to Southend it is heaving and tacky (no offence to anyone who likes it, just not my taste).

[bakedpotato]

Frinton. Perfect beach, groynes, lots of sand. And very accessible from N London (2 hrs max from us). Check tides though. When tide's high, there's no beach.

[Blu]

Aldeburgh is lovely..shingle beach, though. Sand further north at walberswick, Covehithe, I think.

[GreatAuntieWurly]

I wouldnt go southend either, lots of little boys in their boy racer cars driving along the see front all night. nice.

[Blu]

How do people get through / across London so fast? It takes me 3.5-4 hours to get to norfolk and the first 1.5 hours is getting out of London! And i'm sure it would take me 1.5 hours at least to get to frinton!

[DaDaDa]

Suffolk is good, but North Norfolk is even better. Blakeney, Cley, Holkham, Brancaster (great sandy beach) and it's far enough away from 'civilisation' to feel like a real break if you're staying over.

[GreatAuntieWurly]

greta yarmouth, beach there is lovely.

[DaDaDa]

If you're near the M11 then it would be 2.5 hours to North Norfolk, and a much nicer drive than slogging through London to Brighton.

[DaDaDa]

The Witterings and Bosham are good places for the Sarf Londoners. Brighton is pretty grim anyway.

[bakedpotato]

frinton is only on the other side of colchester... essex, innit.

[Mercy]

Blu - same here! And we are in North London too!

We went to Wells in the last week of August and it took us 4 hours (including a 45 min stop).

I like a lot of the places mentioned here.

[Blu]

oh yes - Frinton had re-located itself in my befuddles mind.

If you like places like n Norfolk it would be worth it from n London fro the w/e, if you can go on Fri night. Fabulous beaches at wells and Holkham, little pottery places as DaDa says - and great places to eat. What sort of acommodation would you be looking for? Hotel / Guest house / B&B?

[Blu]

Are you taking children? What age/s?

(I am an expert on N Norfolk!)

[SleepIsForTheWeak]

ooh, lots of options, exciting!
I think we will just have to stay where we can find availability - B&B or hotel....

[Blu]

Give us your complete specification - what sorts of places you like - wild and open with sand and dunes, or seasidey with a prom? Children etc, what sort of activities?

[SleepIsForTheWeak]

oh, missed that!
yes, a 1yo DS
what do you suggest!?